Torque limiter and automatic open close unit for toilet seat and seat cover using the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a torque limiter with an easy maintenance feature. It is capable of alignment and bidirectional rotation. The present invention overcomes the problems of torque limiters of conventional technology by providing a torque limiter comprising an inner ring and an outer ring wherein when a torque is applied to an input member, which is inner ring or outer ring, is less than a set torque, the inner ring and the outer ring move in response to each other. Stopper grooves are provided on inner ring or outer ring and a flat spring is provided on inner ring or outer ring such that it pushes roller pins against stopper grooves; wherein when the torque applied to roller pins exceeds a set torque, roller pins cause flat spring to elastically deform such that roller pins come out of stopper grooves. Inner ring and outer ring are thus uncoupled.

1 . A torque limiter comprising: 
 an inner ring;    an outer ring;    an input member, wherein if torque applied to said input member, a first ring which is either said inner ring or said outer ring, is less than a set torque, said inner ring and said outer ring moving in response to each other;    said torque limiter further comprising stopper grooves on said first ring and a flat spring provided on a second ring, which is said inner ring or said outer ring without said stopper grooves, such that said flat spring pushes stopper members against said stopper grooves so that said stopper members are caught by said stopper grooves;    wherein if torque applied to said input member exceeds said set torque, said stopper members cause said flat spring to elastically deform such that said stopper members come out of said stopper grooves, thereby uncoupling said inner ring and said outer ring.    
   
   
       2 . The torque limiter as set forth in  claim 1  which provides an engagement portion on said second ring, which is said inner ring or said outer ring without said stopper grooves; wherein said stopper members are roller pins which are caught by said stopper grooves and said engagement portion; when a torque applied to said input member exceeds said set torque, said roller pins cause said flat spring to elastically deform such that said roller pins come out of said stopper grooves, thereby uncoupling said inner ring and said outer ring.  
   
   
       3 . The torque limiter as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said stopper members are stopper convex portions provided on said flat spring.  
   
   
       4 . An automatic open/close unit for a toilet seat and a seat cover which opens and closes said toilet seat and said seat cover by transmitting the torque generated by a motor and utilizes said torque limiter of  claim 1  at a portion where said motor, said toilet seat, and said seat cover are joined together.  
   
   
       5 . An automatic open/close unit for a toilet seat and a seat cover which opens and closes said toilet seat and said seat cover by transmitting the torque generated by a motor and utilizes said torque limiter of  claim 2  at a portion where said motor, said toilet seat, and said seat cover are joined together.  
   
   
       6 . An automatic open/close unit for a toilet seat and a seat cover which opens and closes said toilet seat and said seat cover by transmitting the torque generated by a motor and utilizes said torque limiter of  claim 3  at a portion where said motor, said toilet seat, and said seat cover are joined together.